ok i think i figured out the horrible code

clock.gd

@@ -39,21 +39,55 @@ func setup_window():
 # Called every frame. 'delta' is the elapsed time since the previous frame.
 func _process(delta: float) -> void:
 	var unix : float = Time.get_unix_time_from_system()
-	var days : float = (Time.get_unix_time_from_system() + (60*60*10)) / 86400  # days since unix
+	var timezone_minutes =  Time.get_time_zone_from_system().bias
+	var timezone_seconds = timezone_minutes * 60
+	var aus_unix : float = unix + (timezone_seconds)
+	var aus_days : float = (aus_unix / 86400)  # days since unix
+	#print("curr: " + Time.get_datetime_string_from_unix_time(aus_unix))
+	
+	## need to do different behaviour depending on if target time has passed for the particular day
+	var next_end : float = 0
+	
+	# compare todays seconds to end time
+	var todays_seconds = aus_unix - (int(aus_days)*86400)
+	#print("todays secs:" + str(todays_seconds))
+	
+	#print("left: " + str(int(aus_days+1)*86400))
+	#print("righ: " + str(aus_unix + Data.save.end_time) )
+	if (todays_seconds > Data.save.end_time):
+		#print("running if")
+		#target passed for the current day, use the next day
+		next_end = (int(aus_days+1)*86400) + (Data.save.end_time)
+		pass
+	else:
+		#print("running else")
+		# target NOT passed for the current day, use current day
+		next_end = (int(aus_days)*86400) + (Data.save.end_time)
+		pass
 	
 	
-	var offset : float = 0.5 # 0 = midday, 12 = midnight
-	# bar should fill from 11:30pm (11.5) -> 1:30am (13.5)
-	var current_day : float = fmod(days + offset,1)
-	var mini_hour : float = 1.0/24.0
-	bar.max_value = mini_hour * 13.5
-	bar.min_value = mini_hour * 11.5
-	bar.value = current_day
+	# need to find next timestamp of the clock end, int(days) * end_time
+	#var next_end : float = (int(aus_days)*86400) + (Data.save.end_time)
+	#var next_end : float = int(aus_unix)%86400 + Data.save.end_time
+	#print("next: " + Time.get_datetime_string_from_unix_time(next_end))
+	
+	#print(str(unix) + " --> " + str(next_end))
+	var seconds_left : float = next_end - aus_unix
+	
+	#print("seconds until end: " + str(seconds_left))
+	
+	## dont worry about anything below here yet
+	
+	
+	bar.max_value = Data.save.duration
+	bar.min_value = 0
+	bar.value = Data.save.duration - seconds_left
+	#print("bar value: " + str(bar.value))
 	#label.text = Time.get_datetime_string_from_system()
 	#Time.
 	#print(current_day)
 	
-	if (bar.value >= 0.50):
+	if (seconds_left <= 3600):
 		bar.modulate = Color.RED
 	else:	
 		bar.modulate = Color.DODGER_BLUE

main.tscn

@@ -112,10 +112,9 @@ anchor_right = 1.0
 anchor_bottom = 1.0
 grow_horizontal = 2
 grow_vertical = 2
-min_value = 11.5
-max_value = 13.5
+min_value = 100.0
 step = 0.0
-value = 11.81
+value = 100.0
 nine_patch_stretch = true
 texture_progress = SubResource("GradientTexture1D_1bvp3")
 
@@ -180,12 +179,14 @@ layout_mode = 2
 size_flags_horizontal = 3
 max_value = 23.0
 suffix = "h"
+select_all_on_focus = true
 
 [node name="sleepM" type="SpinBox" parent="Options Window/MarginContainer/VBoxContainer/GridContainer/HBoxContainer" unique_id=1582897710]
 layout_mode = 2
 size_flags_horizontal = 3
 max_value = 59.0
 suffix = "m"
+select_all_on_focus = true
 
 [node name="Label3" type="Label" parent="Options Window/MarginContainer/VBoxContainer/GridContainer" unique_id=1956355233]
 layout_mode = 2
@@ -203,19 +204,22 @@ layout_mode = 2
 size_flags_horizontal = 3
 max_value = 23.0
 suffix = "h"
+select_all_on_focus = true
 
 [node name="durationM" type="SpinBox" parent="Options Window/MarginContainer/VBoxContainer/GridContainer/HBoxContainer2" unique_id=1155242421]
 layout_mode = 2
 size_flags_horizontal = 3
 max_value = 59.0
 suffix = "m"
+select_all_on_focus = true
 
 [node name="Label2" type="Label" parent="Options Window/MarginContainer/VBoxContainer/GridContainer" unique_id=201796106]
 layout_mode = 2
 text = "Things that will go here:
 - bar end time
 - bar duration
-- text to display inside bar"
+- text to display inside bar
+- where to display bar"
 label_settings = SubResource("LabelSettings_1bvp3")
 
 [node name="HBoxContainer" type="HBoxContainer" parent="Options Window/MarginContainer/VBoxContainer" unique_id=2066769118]